Manufacture of sheet-metal splints



(No-Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. EQLEE.

- MANUFACTURE OF SHEET METAL SPLINT'S. No. 376,666. I Patented Jan. 17, 1888.

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J. E. LEE. MANUFACTURE OF SHEET METAL SPLINTS N0.376,666. V Patented Jan.17, 1888.

W L D M M M W m m m m JEZbv UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MANUFACTURE. OF SHEET-:METAL SPLINTS."

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.376,666, dated January 1'7, 1888. I Application filed September 27, 1881' Serial No. 250,832. (No model.) 4

I To aZZ whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, J. ELLWOOD LEE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Oonshohocken, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, have invented an Improved Method of Making Sheet-Metal Splints, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of an im proved method of pressing or stamping up chin splints and other splints of sheet metal, designed with the view of producing such articles with perfectly smooth'surfaces free from creases and other similar defects.

Inthe accompanying drawings Ihave illustrated the successive steps in the production of a sheetmetal chin splint in accordance with my invention, and of some of the dies therefor.

Figure 1 isa view of the strip of sheet metal from which the chin-splint is to be formed. Figs. 2, 3, 4., and 5 are views showing the shapes imparted to the metal by the successive dies. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the finished v chinsplint. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the dies for the first operation, and Figs. 8 and 9 are sectional views of the dies for subsequent operations.

In carrying out my invention for the production of sheet-metal splints for the chin, for instance, I first take a blank of thin sheet-copper or other sheet'metal, as shown in Fig. 1, slightly wider than the chin splint to be formed, and then subject this blank to a series of successive pressing or stamping operations in dies. The blank is first subjected to the action of a-pair of dies, D D, such as illustrated inFig. 7, which press or stamp up in the blank a central depression, A,'as shown in Fig. 2, for the point of the chin. In order to avoid the formation of radial creases in the central depression, the dies are so formed as they give the dies upon the edges of the blank.

The blank, with this central depression and flanges, is then subjected to the action of a second set of dies, which have the effect of increasing the depth of the central depression and giving it the desired formation to fit the illustrated in Fig. 6.

point of the chin. The correct shapeof the central depression having thus been'obtained, the flanges a may now be cut off byany suitable means. I the sides of the splints by the dies illustrated in Fig. 8, which bring the blank to the form shown in Fig. 4. Another pair of dies, such as shown in Fig. 9, then finishes the formation to the shape illustrated in Fig. 5. The cor-' ners of the blank thus shaped may be-cut off to bring it to the outline of the finished splint I then prefer to form Shape is nextgiven to parts of 5' of the sides and ends of the blank, bringing it perforations in the splint and to have it nickel-' 6 plated; but these details are not'absolutely essential. I

Although I have described my invention. more particularly in connection with the manufacture of sheet-metal chin-splints, it should be understood that it might be used for the manufacture of other sheet-metal splints, as will be readily understood. f

As amatter of economy and convenience,

the same lower die, I), may be used for all the operations, different-sized filling-pieces, however, being used for the successive operations. The upper die, D, is changed for eacli'successive shape. I p

- I claim as my invention 1. The mode herein described of producing splints, said mode consisting in forming in the blank the desired depression, and at. the same time forming flanges at the edges of the blank to avoid the formation of creases, then cutsubstantially as set forth. I I.

2. The mode herein described of forming chin-splints, said mode consisting,first,in formting off the flanges and finishing the blank; all 4 ing the central depression in the blank for the point of the chin and forming flanges for the edge of the depression, then removing said flanges and bending up the ends of the splint to the desired curve,.all substantially asdescribed. I

In testimony-whereof Ihave signed my name to this specification in the presence of two sub.

scribing witnesses. a

' J. ELLWOOD LEE. Witnesses:

. CHARLES FORST, J As. H. ATKINSON. 

